章 24: Time Skip
Twelve years have passed since I was thrust into this world. Now at seventeen, I stand on the precipice of adulthood, my final year of high school looming before me. These years have been a crucible, shaping me through relentless training with my two mothers and Raven .
It was only recently that I managed to procure a gift worthy of Raven—a resplendent necklace imbued with protective charms against any spell below S-rank. More than a mere trinket, it serves as a beacon, allowing me to pinpoint her location and sense any peril she might face. We've both outgrown our childhood bracelets, yet they've grown with us.
The enigma that puzzles me most is Raven's request for the necklace to match the hue of my hair.
But the true transformation came when my mothers unraveled the seal that bound my latent powers. In an instant, my appearance shifted—blonde locks gave way to hair as white as freshly fallen snow, streaked with strands of crimson and emerald. My eyes, once a uniform color, now glowed with a fierce red in one and a verdant green in the other.
At will, I can summon horns and a dragon's tail . Initially, Raven gazed upon me with wide-eyed wonder, but she has since grown accustomed to my new form.
Over the years, my physique has become more defined, muscles etching themselves into my frame, and my abilities have reached a level some might call overpowered.
As is customary, the morning sun filters through the curtains, rousing me from slumber. Despite today marking the return to the drudgery of school, I'm in high spirits. Stretching languidly, I prepare to face the day.
"System, display my status," I command.
The holographic screen materializes before me, listing my attributes:
[Name: Jade Smith
Age: 17
Race: Half-human, half-dragon
HP: 100,000/100,000
MP: 150,000/150,000
Magic: 75
Strength: 70
Intelligence: 72
Appearance/Charisma: 90
Affinity: Fire, Water, Light
Skills:
- Cooking (B+)
- Escape (B)
- Running (S)
- Pain Resistance (A+)
- Fencing ( B+)
- Fire Magic (S): Fireball, Fire Arrow, Fire Explosion, Inferno's Embrace, Blaze Bind, Flame Healing, Firestorm, Heat Manipulation, Pyrokinetic Combat
- Water Magic (B+): Aquamancy, Hydrokinesis, Water Breathing, Aqueous Form, Deluge
- Light Magic (B): Luminance, Gleaming Shield, Solar Flare, Aurora Wave, Starfire Cascade
Attribute Points: 0
Items: Amulet of the Salamander, Shadowcloak Mail, Frostbite Dagger, Blade of the Dawnbringer, Stormcaller Bow
Gold Coins: 300]
I'm currently basking in the glow of my stats, though they're becoming increasingly stubborn to improve. I had aspired to unlock more than three elemental affinities, but the system denied me, claiming any more would render me overpowered—a veritable cheat in this game of life.
But such thoughts must be shelved for now. I darted into the shower, letting the water cascade over me in a hurried embrace. In twenty minutes, I emerged transformed, clad in my uniform: a crisp shirt hugged by a tailored jacket, the tie a neat slash of color against the white, all paired with unassuming trousers. I shouldered my bag, unplugged my phone from its lifeline, and descended.
The living room greeted me with the sight of my two mothers, already risen, savoring their morning repast. I exchanged pleasantries, joined them, and as I nibbled on toast, I dialed Raven. The phone rang, a brief prelude to her groggy voice, thick with sleep's residue.
"Raven, you do realize today marks our return to academia, and if you don't rouse yourself this instant, you'll be late," I teased, a chuckle coloring my words.
Over the years, mornings had become Raven's nemesis, her punctuality in constant jeopardy.
"Do we really have to go? I'm not in the mood," she grumbled, her yawn crackling through the line.
"You can't possibly skip the first day. So up you get, and I'll meet you at the school gates, alright, little dormouse?"
A long, resigned sigh whispered through the speaker before Raven's voice returned, tinged with the inevitable acceptance of daybreak's call.
Raven's voice, now a soft murmur, signaled her surrender to the day. "Fine, I'll be there," she mumbled, the words barely a whisper, as if speaking them louder would make the reality of school more tangible.
I ended the call with a smile, the corners of my mouth lingering upwards as I savored the last bites of my breakfast. The silence was broken by Lily's gentle inquiry, "What time do you finish today?" Her smile was a warm beacon in the cool morning.
"School should consume the morning, then I'll return home, perhaps with Raven if she's not otherwise engaged," I replied, my voice steady and sure.
Irene and Lily both nodded in understanding. "You should leave now, or you'll be late, Jade," Irene advised, her tone carrying the weight of experience.
I glanced at my phone, its glow showing a mere 7:05 AM, with school not commencing until 8:00 AM. "What? But it's still early," I protested, but Irene was not to be swayed.
She ushered me out of the house, thrusting my bag and shoes into my arms, her words firm and final. "Your mother and I have errands to run, and arriving early at school is good for you. Have a great day, and see you later," she declared.
Lily appeared beside her, her farewell a tender echo, "See you later, my heart." Before I could muster a response, Irene closed the door with a decisive click.
"Well, the day is off to a splendid start," I sighed, the words floating away with my breath.
I began my trek to school, and about 20 minutes later, I arrived at the gates of Eldritch Academy. The entrance was a mosaic of students from all walks of life—demons, dragons, humans, angels, and more. It was the premier high school in the region, a melting pot of the extraordinary.
With Raven not yet present, I waited in our usual secluded spot. However, my solitude was short-lived as eyes turned my way, and some even approached for autographs. As the captain of the magical fencing team, my arrival two years ago had heralded a slew of trophies, elevating my status to that of a school celebrity.
Twenty minutes passed, and the crowd around me showed no signs of dispersing, swelling instead with more onlookers. But Raven's arrival was my reprieve; as she approached, the crowd parted like the sea, each person drifting away.
Raven's appearance hadn't changed much, but there was a newfound happiness in her demeanor. Her hair had grown longer, and to me, she seemed even more beautiful—if such a thing were possible. I wasn't the only one to notice, though Raven's icy attitude kept most at bay. To me, she was just Raven—predictable as ever.
"About time, Sleeping Beauty," I quipped, earning a playful scowl.
"You should be grateful I'm here. Otherwise, you'd still be swarmed by your groupies. I've told you time and again to be meaner so they'd scatter, but you never listen," Raven chided as she breezed past me into the school.
"Wait for me, Raven!" I called out, hurrying to catch up.
"I just hope we're in the same class this year," I said with a hopeful lilt to my voice.
"And I just hope this day ends quickly. I want to go back to bed," she grumbled, her irritation clear.
"By the way, it's been a while since you've been over. My mom would love to see you today," I mentioned, scratching my head thoughtfully.
"Alright, I'll come over after school. I don't have anything else planned," she replied, a rare smile gracing her lips.
In a few minutes, we reached a bulletin board surrounded by students. As they noticed us, they stepped aside, giving us room. I leaned in to search for my name, eager to discover my fate for the year, and found myself assigned to…
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